When the Nightingale Sings [Hardcover]

Joyce Carol Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

Despite her mean-spirited foster mother's attempts to demean her, fourteen-year-old orphan Marigold finds the song within her heart during the search for a new lead gospel singer for the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gospel music takes center stage in National Book Award recipient Thomas's spirited African American Cinderella story. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-- In a place known as Sweet Earth, Queen Mother Rhythm (Sister Letty), the lead singer at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, is searching for someone to succeed her as the choir's leader and soloist. On the other side of the Swamp, a 14-year-old orphan, Marigold, is being treated as a servant by Cousin Ruby. Marigold does all the housework, and serves as voice coach to Ruby's twin daughters, who are unkind, ugly, and cannot sing. The setting, presumably the southern U. S., is unusual and well drawn, and Marigold's "Cinderella" story creates some interest. Unfortunately, in keeping with the fairy-tale convention, much of the plot hinges on coincidence and miracles, and only toward the end of the story does the young woman begin to act on her own behalf. The connections between Marigold, Ruby, and Letty are overexplained in a prologue and through flashback and gossip between two adult choir members. The shifts in time and point of view are confusing. The predictable ending is abrupt and difficult to believe, as none of the characters has enough life to make change--even divinely inspired--believable. Throughout the book, readers are told rather than shown, and plot elements magically appear and disappear without any internal logic. This is unfortunate, as Marigold is a character who deserves center stage. The complicated relationships among the adults will limit the appeal for children, especially as the book begins from Letty's point of view at Marigold's birth. Though the unusual setting and the depiction of African American characters are pluses, the book is unlikely to be a favorite with most readers. --Amy Healey, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 148 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060202947
• ISBN-13: 978-0060202941
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,886,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars EVER HEARD OF A BOOK THAT HAS THE POWER TO MAKE YOU READ., March 10, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: When the Nightingale Sings (Paperback)

When the Nightingale Sings
I bet most of you now Cinderella's story, but you don't know another story related to it. This book is about an African American who is adopted by a southerner when hr real mom hated her and left her in the bushes. Now she lives with a white family and two twins that hate her. She tries to be a singer but the family stops her from doing that. The rest is for you to find out. I liked this book because it teaches a great lesson. If you start reading this book it will be so exciting that you would not take it off your hands. This book is related to Cinderella because in that story the family also tries to stop her from going to the dance.
By: Ahmad Saifan

4.0 out of 5 stars When the Nightingale Sings, February 17, 2000

By 

allison moore (kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Nightingale Sings (Hardcover)

WHEN THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS

By: Joyce Carol Thomas I rated this book four out of five stars. This book was really good, but it was really confusing. I liked this book because the main character, Marigold, follows her dreams. She is a fourteen-year-old girl living with a cruel, harsh woman. Cousin Ruby. Cousin Ruby tells Marigold not to follow her dreams, but she does it anyway. She writes and sings her songs. They come off the top of her head, and she writes them down in her own little notebook. Other characters also have their own little role going on, it's like they are acting "behind the scenes." All the characters are happy and they are also very active. They are all helping each other out in other people's times of needs. All the characters, especially Marigold is in her own little world when she is singing. Cousin Ruby is always making Marigold do her daughters' work, cooking, making clothes, and teaching them how to sing. This book is unlike any other I have read before. It is totally unique in it's own way. The book is different because Marigold follows her dreams, her guardian is telling her not to, and she doesn't listen. Usually, young children will follow their parents or guardians directions. Marigold chooses what is the best for her, and she goes all the way. Singing is really important to her, and she knows that she has got an excellent voice. She wants to sing, and when she learns that she can do it, that is what she is going to do, and she is going to follow her dream of singing.